Author Topic: INFINITY CUBE in WOOD (Read 3804 times)

Robert Hornby · « **on:** January 28, 2023, 06:01:30 AM »

I bit the bullet and have drawn up what I intend to make and will use some timber that I have lying about. It an Australian hardwood, SPOTTED GUM, mainly used for polished floor boarding but it does machine and polish up very nicely. (I have made some gear stick knobs for Jaguars out of it - but that is another story).
I will machine the pieces to 18mm x 18mm square in the 3 different lengths. Getting the 45 deg angles will need to be done very carefully as I would like the joints to be free of any gaps.
The overall size of the cube will be 130mm x 130mm x 130mm. I have attached the drawings via a PDF file so unsure if that will publish. If not I will scan and attach.

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2023, 06:12:41 AM »

I have scanned my drawings and attached to see if that is better.

springcrocus · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2023, 08:09:33 AM »

That seems fun. Look forward to seeing this built "in the flesh" so to speak.

I believe that some on here consider certain brown-coloured materials to be taboo.

Regards, Steve

Alston · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2023, 10:45:26 AM »

I’ve also done some quick calculations and will be making something similar milled in Aluminium and bolted together with three socket screws. Too cold to work in the shed though and I have other jobs so it could take a while. I look forward to seeing how yours pans out. What adhesive will you be using? I like Urea Formaldehyde for stuff like this.

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2023, 11:54:11 AM »

I will use Aquadhere, it is just a water-based wood glue. I have used it on many wood joining jobs with 100% success as long as the mating surfaces are clean and true. I use it on my gear stick knobs, they are made from 3 pieces of Spotted Gum.

Kim · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2023, 04:14:41 PM »

That's a sharp looking shift Knob, Robert!

Looking forward to seeing your Infinity Cube too!

Kim

Roger B · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2023, 04:44:10 PM »

Looks to be a fun project

Another wood I have never heard of

mklotz · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2023, 06:00:35 PM »

In your first diagram you show shapes C,J,M,R (94 mm long) and F,P (58 mm long) as angled on one end but seemingly square on the other end. When I look at the second diagram it appears they are angled on both ends, but these angles are cut on orthogonal faces.

Is this correct?

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2023, 09:10:27 PM »

Quote from: mklotz on January 28, 2023, 06:00:35 PM

In your first diagram you show shapes C,J,M,R (94 mm long) and F,P (58 mm long) as angled on one end but seemingly square on the other end. When I look at the second diagram it appears they are angled on both ends, but these angles are cut on orthogonal faces.

Is this correct?

Quite correct, I missed a line of 'F" and "P" and also 'C' 'J' 'M' 'R' on the cutting list

The angled cuts are on different faces.

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2023, 09:41:05 PM »

Revision 1 for the cutting list. I have drawn the shape to better show the cut on different faces.

steam guy willy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2023, 11:37:45 PM »

Hi , On the isometric drawing it would be interesting to see all the hidden lines on the back faces of the square timbers , shown dotted to see where they actually go/end up ??
Willy

Alston · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2023, 11:17:45 AM »

Quote from: Robert Hornby on January 28, 2023, 11:54:11 AM

I will use Aquadhere, it is just a water-based wood glue. I have used it on many wood joining jobs with 100% success as long as the mating surfaces are clean and true. I use it on my gear stick knobs, they are made from 3 pieces of Spotted Gum.

I’ve had creep on several projects using PVA. This becomes particularly noticeable on subsequently turned items. As a result I no longer use PVA for important jobs where creep could end up spoiling it. Probably not an issue in your case though gluing end grain.

Lew Hartswick · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2023, 01:48:05 PM »

I surely don't understand all the "emphases" on using mitered corners. Especially on wood ones. Is it just to avoid seeing any endgrain??
...lew... (an engineer without any "artistic" thought)

crueby · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2023, 01:53:07 PM »

Quote from: Lew Hartswick on January 29, 2023, 01:48:05 PM

I surely don't understand all the "emphases" on using mitered corners. Especially on wood ones. Is it just to avoid seeing any endgrain??
...lew... (an engineer without any "artistic" thought)

Just like with aa wooden picture frame, using miter joints gives a uniform appearance with the grain looking like it is continuing around the corner, looks more like one continuous piece. When gluing, it also gives a stronger joint, more of a hybrid end grain/side grain surface.

vtsteam · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2023, 03:55:43 PM »

Robert, are you going to dowel the joints?

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2023, 06:07:01 AM »

Quote from: crueby on January 29, 2023, 01:53:07 PM

Quote from: Lew Hartswick on January 29, 2023, 01:48:05 PM
I surely don't understand all the "emphases" on using mitered corners. Especially on wood ones. Is it just to avoid seeing any endgrain??
...lew... (an engineer without any "artistic" thought)
Just like with aa wooden picture frame, using miter joints gives a uniform appearance with the grain looking like it is continuing around the corner, looks more like one continuous piece. When gluing, it also gives a stronger joint, more of a hybrid end grain/side grain surface.

Yes the mitered joints just give a more pleasant appearance, and there is a greater surface for the glue.

Quote from: steam guy willy on January 28, 2023, 11:37:45 PM

Hi , On the isometric drawing it would be interesting to see all the hidden lines on the back faces of the square timbers , shown dotted to see where they actually go/end up ??
Willy

I did consider showing hidden lines but it got too messy.

Quote from: vtsteam on January 29, 2023, 03:55:43 PM

No, I won't be dowling the joints, they will not need it.
Robert, are you going to dowel the joints?

Lew Hartswick · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2023, 01:37:51 PM »

:-) Well Rosettes and Plinth blocks use to do great job before mitered joints on window and door trim. I know all about those from doing some work on a house in VA for a few years. :-)
...lew...

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2023, 09:31:50 PM »

Actual progress has commenced with the cutting and mitering of some of the pieces. I am using a home made mitre block which I have dialed in to be sure the cuts are precisely 45 deg. I made a test join with a couple of scrap pieces to see how the join came out and I am happy with it. I tried to pull them apart with my hands but failed and had to give quite a hard knock with a hammer, so the joins will be strong.

Kim · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2023, 10:20:59 PM »

That's looking good, Robert! You'll have it done in no time

Kim

Admiral_dk · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2023, 11:24:33 PM »

Looks like you managed to get some extremely clean 45 degree cuts on the mill

Per

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2023, 01:26:40 AM »

I have been distracted lately with other stuff around the house and not been able to spend much time in the workshop. However I have managed to cut some more wood for the cube. It is a bit tricky making sure the bits are glued together at 90 deg.

mklotz · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2023, 04:04:54 PM »

Due to a lack of display space in my den of antiquity, I elected to make a miniature version. To assure 90 degree angles, I cut some slices from a piece of aluminum angle and flattened the edge to allow room for glue squeeze out. Each joint was clamped as shown in the photo. I've used this trick in past projects and it's always served me well.

Making a miniature like this is fiddly at best. My usual wood glue took too long to dry so I used super glue.

Kim · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2023, 06:25:35 PM »

That's very nice Marv! And quite small! Shouldn't have any problem stowing that somewhere in the Den of Antiquity

Kim

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #23 on:** April 21, 2023, 11:53:23 PM »

Thanks for the idea Marv, of the mini square to assist with the clamping to acheive the 90 deg. I just used my square, but your method would be much better.
Bob

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2023, 01:57:01 AM »

Finally finished the cube. It really it is only an exercise in cutting the wood to exact lengths and getting the 45 deg angles right.

Kim · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2023, 05:13:10 AM »

Wow! That looks great! Well done, Robert!

As you said, it's really just an exercise in expertise and precision, nothing more. But then, doesn't that describe almost everything we do?

Kim

springcrocus · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2023, 07:21:04 AM »

Looks very impressive! Nice work.

Regards, Steve

mklotz · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:09:10 PM »

Here's your next project...

This is a miniature tensegrity table. 'Tensegrity' is a Buckminster Fuller portmanteau of 'tensional' and 'integrity' and refers to structures where the flexible members are under tension and the rigid members are under compression. You can read more about it in Wikipedia...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensegrity

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwp4OrFCpTo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwp4OrFCpTo</a>

Admiral_dk · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2023, 07:29:46 PM »

Thank you for showing that Marv ...!

I have never heard of the concept before - so there are some rather unique examples in your link + in your case, I kind of think that you might know them from the Math too ....

Per

Robert Hornby · « **Reply #29 on:** April 26, 2023, 04:24:42 AM »

Quote from: mklotz on April 25, 2023, 03:09:10 PM

Here's your next project...

This is a miniature tensegrity table. 'Tensegrity' is a Buckminster Fuller portmanteau of 'tensional' and 'integrity' and refers to structures where the flexible members are under tension and the rigid members are under compression. You can read more about it in Wikipedia...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensegrity

Thanks for that Marv, I will certainly give it a go.

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Author Topic: INFINITY CUBE in WOOD (Read 3804 times)